Black Rat - Facts and Beyond | Biology Dictionary (2024)

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilyMuridae
GenusRattus
SpeciesRattus rattus
NicheGeneralist Omnivore
Length5.0-7.2 in (12.7-18.3 cm)
Weight2.6-8.1 oz (75-230 g)
Lifespan12-18 months
Social StructureSocial
Conservation StatusCommon, Invasive
Preferred HabitatTropical forests
Average Litter Size7-8
Main Food Items and Prey SpeciesSeeds, nuts, leaves, insects, etc.
PredatorsOwls, cats, weasels,

The Basics

The black rat (Rattus rattus) is a species of small, long-tailed rodents. It appears like a stereotypical rat and is found worldwide. It is often also referred to as the ship rat, roof rat, or house rat and is known as a pest to farmers but is also kept as a pet by some.

Black rats are 5.0-7.2 in (12.7-18.3 cm) long, excluding their tails which is about the same length if not longer. Most specimens weigh 2.6-8.1 oz (75-230 g) and are a dark brown or black color, although several lighter color morphs exist. Its fur is scruffy and their underside is typically a lighter color than the rest of their bodies.

The origins of the black rat are unclear. It likely traces back to Malaysia with speciation occurring when it arrived in India. Once it reached Europe, it was carried throughout the world during the colonial era. Currently, its distribution is cosmopolitan and it can be found in both natural habitats and human-developed areas around the world, particularly in warmer climates. It is not as widespread as its larger cousin, the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), which has also been more successful in areas developed by humans due to its burrowing tendencies. The black rat is arboreal and tends to live in trees. Therefore, it was more successful in adapting to human-developed areas when thatched roofs and wood buildings were more common than they are today, having been replaced by concrete and brick construction methods in much of the world.

Diet and Predators

Black rats are omnivores and eat a variety of foods. In fact, they will eat almost anything. Typically they will subsist on parts of plants such as the stems and leaves as well as seeds and fruit. They will also eat fungi and a wide variety of small animals such as insects and other items such as bird eggs. In human-developed areas, they may eat from food left out for domestic pets as well as garbage and other food waste, pointing further to the generalist strategy that has allowed them to become common in so many places around the world. They will also feed on crops such as wheat, sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, and more, making them well-known pests to many farmers.

Being so widespread, the black rat is prey for many other species. In natural settings, weasels and other larger rodents will frequently attack rats and their young. Wild cats, foxes, coyotes, and more will also prey on the black rat. In human-developed areas, they will often be killed by cats as well as owls that make use of the large clearing to spot its prey. However, the black rat is agile and a very competent climber. It also has an excellent sense of hearing. Combined, these make it highly capable of avoiding predation in most scenarios, which is why it has managed to colonize so much of the world despite these novel predators in some habitats black rats arrived to.

Breeding

Black rats form dens within trees and, at times, underground. During the breeding season, male black rats will increase the size of their home ranges in search of mates. The gestation period for females is only 21 days and the young are independent within weeks. Most rats reach sexual maturity within 3-5 months and generally only live for 12-18 months in the wild. During this time, females will give birth to about six litters of about 7-8 young. With such a short life-cycle and highly productive breeding habits, it is easy to see how the black rat has been so successful in colonizing so many environments globally.

Fun Facts about Black Rat!

Black rats are widespread and ubiquitous. They have been associated with some of the worst outbreaks of human disease in history, but in some cases are actually helping to improve biodiversity in previously disturbed habitats throughout the world.

The Green Rat

Not all black rats are black. Many are brown, but should not be confused with the brown rat, which itself is a separate species with different characteristics and habits. Some black rats have white fur. Perhaps even more strangely, selective breeding efforts that occurred in England in the 1920s led to the development of various color morphs, including a green variety.

The Passive Traveler

The black rat, along with other rat and rodent species, is one of the most widespread species on the planet. Rats are known to have made their way around the world largely by hitching a ride on ships that they lived in. Many animals and organisms have fascinating dispersal methods such as plants that use the wind to spread their seeds far. Despite being much more intelligent and cognizant that plants, rats made their way around the world almost equally as passively. Since these fortuitous first journeys, rats have become present in natural and human-developed habitats throughout the world and, in many cases, have become pests and are a threat to native species.

The Great Invader

While the black rat’s ability to move throughout the world may seem like a success story, this is not always true when considered from the perspective of other species in the habitats to which it arrived. For example, in the north of New Zealand, these rats feed on the seedlings of various plants. This can greatly disrupt forest succession and significantly impacted these ecosystems. In many cases, their generalist feeding strategy allows them to outcompete various native species for resources resulting in a significant decline in these populations.

In some cases, however, the arrival of the black rat has had arguably beneficial impacts. For example, where native species have been extirpated due to human disturbance, black rats have often thrived. In Australia, for example, they have become the vectors for the spores of some fungi on which they feed. This role had previously been filled by native species. Without this passive dispersal, biodiversity would be negatively impacted. Ironically, this means that eradicating the pest may do more harm than good in some instances.

A Vector of Disease

While they travel the world, rats also bring other organisms with them, including harmful viral and bacterial infections. This is particularly due to its ability to contain a high amount of infectious bacteria in its blood.

Sometimes, these may even be inside of other organisms living on the rats, such as fleas. Indeed, the black rat is likely responsible for spreading a flea-borne bacteria known as Yersinia pestis, which is responsible for the Black Death and the Plague of Justinian.

Black Rat - Facts and Beyond | Biology Dictionary (2024)

FAQs

Black Rat - Facts and Beyond | Biology Dictionary? ›

The black rat

black rat
The black rat (Rattus rattus), also known as the roof rat, ship rat, or house rat, is a common long-tailed rodent of the stereotypical rat genus Rattus, in the subfamily Murinae. It likely originated in the Indian subcontinent, but is now found worldwide.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Black_rat
(Rattus
Rattus
Rattus is a genus of muroid rodents, all typically called rats. However, the term rat can also be applied to rodent species outside of this genus.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Rattus
rattus) is a species of small, long-tailed rodents. It appears like a stereotypical rat and is found worldwide. It is often also referred to as the ship rat, roof rat, or house rat and is known as a pest to farmers but is also kept as a pet by some.

What are some interesting facts about black rats? ›

Black rats live in groups with a dominate male and are skilled and agile climbers, prefering to make their nests high up in roof spaces (in the tropics, and supposedly on the Channel Islands, they're known to nest in trees). They're more commensal than brown rats, mostly living within buildings.

What is the lifespan of a black rat? ›

Black rats have a lifespan of around 18 months. They will start to reproduce from as young as two months old, and give birth to up to 7 litters a year, each litter containing between 6-10 offspring.

What plants do black rats eat? ›

Their diet is high in water content. They are a threat to many natural habitats because they feed on birds and insects. They are also a threat to many farmers, since they feed on a variety of agricultural-based crops, such as cereals, sugar cane, coconuts, cocoa, oranges, and coffee beans.

What other names is the black rat known by? ›

Rattus rattushouse rat(Also: black rat; roof rat; ship rat)

How to get rid of black rats? ›

Traps are of the most inexpensive ways to remove rats. There are two main types of traps: baited and unbaited. An unbaited trap can be left in a spot for a long time without worrying. However, a rat is more likely to find its way into a baited trap.

What are black rats scared of? ›

Rats are afraid of human activity, mostly because humans are so much larger than they are. Rats also fear predators such as hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. Other animals that rats are afraid of include your cat as well as rat terriers and other dogs that hunt rodents. Rats fear becoming a meal for a snake.

How smart are black rats? ›

Rats are very intelligent animals with good memory. They are known to exceed in the intelligence of rabbits, hamsters, mice, gerbils, and guinea pigs. Learning a direction-finding route, a rat will remember it throughout its life.

Are black rats aggressive? ›

The black rat (Rattus rattus) and the Norway rat (R. norvegicus) are the aggressive, omnivorous animals commonly associated with the name. They prefer areas of human habitation, where they can easily find food.

What are the predators of the black rat? ›

Niche: The black rat is an omnivorous medium-bodied rodent. The Norway rat seems to be its closest competitor, followed next by the muskrat and other cricetid rodents. Predators include hawks, owls, weasels, skunks, dogs, foxes, snakes, Norway rats, and humans.

Where do black rats nest? ›

They are great climbers and prefer to live in palms and trees, such as pine trees. Their nests are typically spherical and made of shredded material, including sticks, leaves, other vegetation and cloth. In the absence of palms or trees, they can burrow into the ground.

What are black rats attracted to? ›

Plants that grow fruit and vegetables will attract rats since they provide an excellent source of food for them. Typically, rats and mice feed on a variety of fruits; for example, oranges, avocados, peaches, lemons, and figs. They are also very fond of walnuts and almonds.

What plant do rats hate? ›

Sage. This fragrant herb commonly used in our pasta dishes, also makes a great pest repellent. Rats in particular hate the smells of both the green and white sage varieties. Simply sprinkle herbs onto soil, around outdoor plants, entryway crevices or crack around the house.

What are some interesting facts about the black rat? ›

Black rats are omnivores and eat a variety of foods. In fact, they will eat almost anything. Typically they will subsist on parts of plants such as the stems and leaves as well as seeds and fruit. They will also eat fungi and a wide variety of small animals such as insects and other items such as bird eggs.

What is the largest black rat ever recorded? ›

Bosavi Woolly Rats

Believed to have had no prior contact with humans, the Bosavi woolly measures 32 inches in length, which makes it the largest living rat in the world.

Is there a black rat snake? ›

Black rat snakes are native to the central and eastern United States. They live in a variety of habitats, from rocky hillsides to flat farmland, and are able to survive at wide-ranging elevations. At the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, black rat snakes are on exhibit in the Tree in Maryland Wilderness.

What are 3 interesting facts about rats? ›

Top rat facts

There are several different kinds of rat, varying mainly in colour. Like humans, rats go through multiple stages of sleep. Rats experience slow-wave sleep to REM sleep and even have dreams. They're normally active at night, at dawn and at dusk.

How far can a black rat jump? ›

According to some sources, rats can climb up to 5 feet on vertical or near-vertical surfaces such as pipes and walls. They can also climb trees and jump onto roofs from a distance of around 4 feet 23. Rats are able to leap approximately 36 inches into the air and around 48 inches horizontally.

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